I have been really lazy about book reviews this year, so here is all of them for this year so far!
A Fellowship of Academics and Arts by J Penner
The fifth book in the Tales of Adenashire series. We revisit our charming town, right as Arleta has gone into labor. The whole found family bustles her to the midwife and then settle in the bakery to await news. Since they are all there, they ask Verdreth and Ervash, Arleta’s adopted erstwhile orc fathers about how they met. The story they tell is charming, and sweet, and very much not a smooth path.
I loved this installment. The characters are charming, and sweet, and I don't know if this was a series end, but it definitely concluded the current arc! I just really adore these characters and the world that is built around them.
The only thing I didn't like is that the book was too short! I was not ready for it to be over!!
Guard In The Garden by Z.S. Diamati
Another story in the Fables of Finlestia (Its actually set before the first one I read, Wyverns and Wagons). We meet Felton Holdum, a former soldier of the Garvawk Warriors, a flying mount of their world. (It appears to be a flying cat/hawk griffen thing) Having been seriously injured, and his Garvawk Honor killed in the big battle to save their city of Galium from an Orc army set on wiping them off the map. He is now focused on healing, wanting to get back on the wing, or even rejoin the Warhog Riders, which was his job before the Garvawk Warriors. Unfortunately, he is not healing at the rate he would like, and while his former commanding officer sympathizes, they cannot have him riding in his condition. Felton is then referred to Captain Bradnir of the city guard, who hire’s Felton to guard in the Garome District, which is his own neighborhood. He enjoys the job, and comes to become very close to Tilli, who owns a home inside of a lush garden, though she is working to repair dragonfire damage from the war. With his days spent on guard, and budding friendships, he finally faces himself and the changes his injury has wrought.
I liked this book. Not really my favorite cozy fantasy, but it was well written, and very realistic in the recovery from trauma. I quite liked Tilli and her daughter Lili, and the garden they live and work in. This series does feel less ‘cozy fantasy’ and more ‘post war fantasy’ but it has its cozy moments. I have the next installment in my TBR, so hopefully I like it better. To be fair, this was the first in the series, and I really enjoyed book 2 when I read it out of order last year.
The only thing I didn't like in this book was the pacing. Some parts dragged a bit, but again, it was book one, so maybe the author just hasn't hit his stride yet.
Delicious in Dungeon 1-14 by Ryoko Kui
This is the manga that the show is based on. I will say that the show is nearly shot for shot exactly like the books.
This series is about a party of adventures running back into their local dungeon undersupplied and overwhelmed in an attempt to save Falin, who is the sister of Laois, and bestie of Marcille. They are joined by Chilchuck, a halfling who specializes in traps and locks. Due to their lack of supplies, they have decided, rather reluctantly on Marcille, and Chilchuck’s part, to eat the monsters they encounter. On the first level, after a disasterous attempt to eat walking mushroom and giant scorpion, they meet Senshi, a dwarves chef who turns their paltry attempt into a near gourmet meal. They ask him to join them, and off they are on the way to rescue Falin.
I LOVE this series. I am a huge fantasy and D&D nerd, so when I heard of this series, I knew it was my wheelhouse. I do have to say, I like the added level of detail we get in the manga. The presentation of the foods is more concise, and it gives the nutrient breakdown. If you have ever wondered what kind of nutreriants a slime monster, or a basilisk provides, this series has you covered. It’s a great read for teens and up, and has compelling characters, a great story line and is a fairly quick read. Like, I finished all 14 books in 6 days.
My favorite character is Marcille. She is such a mess of a person, highly intelligent, yet absent minded, loves her friends, loves to learn. Oh wait, she’s me. Lol. Anyways, I love the growth I see in her from the beginning to the end. She was just a well rounded, enjoyable character. I also quite like Laois and his quirks.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the twist! Only because it was kind of shocking to me, I was so invested in the story going one way, and then it zigged instead of zagged. This did not negatively affect the story in any way.
Tusks, Tails, and Teacakes by T.L. Stone
Lira has returned to her hometown after her adventure party disbanded. She really only returned to get her late grandmother’s recipe book that she hid in the cellar of the tavern she met with her party in. Alas, sometime in the following years, the once dirt walled cellar has been reinforced with stone walls. Lira sneaks in to try to remove the stone, but her caper is disrupted by an actual burglar. They both retreat, blaming a rogue goblin to the tavern owner, and somehow convincing him to hire them to revamp his once thriving tavern, that fell into disrepair upon the death of his beloved wife. The burglar, a dwarf named Sass, and Lira do their best to clean, spruce up and bake their way into a revitalized tavern. The townsfolk notice, including Lira’s childhood playmate, an orc guard named Korl. He keeps coming around, fixing things, helping out, and Lira just doesn’t understand. What’s a former rouge to do?
I loved this book. It has a very campy, D&D feel in a good way. I love MC Lira’s interactions with the other characters. Her struggle with the changes her life has brought feels very real, and just a teensy bit Hallmark-y. Sass is a great side eyeing friend, and I adore Crumpet the most. I highly recommend this book to any cozy fantasy fan.
The only thing I didn’t like was that there was little focus on the actual problems the characters were having. It was definitely written as a HEA type tale, which is fine. I just wished for a tad more tension.
Sorcery, Swords, and Scones by T.L. Stone
We revisit the town of Wayshire, to learn more about Sass, the dwarf that ended up running the Tavern with Lira. Their way of life is being threatened by someone from Sass’s past. How will our varied cast of characters take learning about Sass and what she's running from, and ho will they protect their friend and way of life? Maybe Glen the battle ostrich can help?
I really do love this campy D&D inspired series. The characters are loveable, the author is good at blending humor with just a speck of dramatic tension. Her side characters are stand outs, and I hope each of the “crew” end up getting a focused story. My favorite character is still Crumpet the flutterstoat, even though he is a critter, his personality and silent actions make me giggle.
This book had more resolution of the characters problems, likely because the world and people were already largely established. I did not really have a dislike for this book.
